‘Lack of evidence’: NAB drops inquiries against PPP minister

Khursheed Shah was under investigation for two corruption cases since 2002-03.

ISLAMABAD:

Citing lack of evidence, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday decided to wind up all corruption inquiries  against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior minister Syed Khurshid Shah, officials said.

Currently serving as the religious affairs minister in the federal cabinet, Shah was under investigation for two corruption cases since 2002-03, on the orders of Pervez Musharraf’s government, a senior officer told The Express Tribune.

The NAB spokesperson also confirmed that all inquiries against Shah have been dropped due to lack of evidence.

The bureau also dropped cases related to embezzlement against another former lawmaker, Ghulamuddin from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The decision to end inquiries was taken during an executive board meeting, presided by NAB Chairman Admiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari.

Other cases

Other cases against former civil servants Sikandar Ali Lakhair, Fakhar Karim Siddiqui and Muhammad Sadiq Majid were also dropped.

Meanwhile, the NAB also rejected a plea bargain request by former SE Wapda Muhammad Rashid Khan and directed NAB Punjab to make a fair assessment of his assets within two weeks, to facilitate the process of making the final decision based on merit.

Khan owned more than 1,100 kanals of agricultural land, 45 plots and flats in different parts of Lahore.

The NAB meeting also rejected the voluntary return request by former District Coordination Officer DI Khan Syed Mohsin Shah and offered him a plea bargain to settle the case of misuse of authority.

The NAB board also decided to close investigation against Chief Controller of Stores, Khalid Mohiuddin, General Manager Pakistan Railways Saeed Akhtar and former Secretary Pakistan Railways Sami Khilji.

The board meeting was informed about the progress report related to the realisation of investments, made by the affectees in the Qasre Zauq case and was told that the market price of the property will be determined immediately.

The NAB chairman further directed that the issue be settled expeditiously and investors returned their hard-earned money.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2012.